doubtbook

the idea: spend some time every day practicing something I care about, and try to believe I’m getting better even when it feels like I’m not.

car-maintenance

Friday, June 21, 2013

Chores: Mazda MX-5 maintenance

Thing practiced: doing chores

Tools and supplies used: (pictured ↓)

Tools: channel-lock pliers, 12mm + 14mm box-end wrenches, 17mm bicycle cone wrench, 12mm + 14mm sockets, 6in extension, 3/8in-drive ratchet, C-clamp, 21mm lug wrench, 10-80 ft-lb torque wrench Supplies: brake grease, Axxis Deluxe Advanced brake pads Loosen the nuts on the front wheels. Jack the car up. Remove the front wheels. Remove the cap from the brake fluid reservoir. Remove the lower caliper bolt and pivot the caliper up off the pads. Slide the caliper upper bolt out of the bracket and rest the caliper somewhere so it doesn't hang by the brake hose. Remove the pads and backing plates. Take the wear indicator clips off the old pads and put them on the new pads. Slide the new pads and backing plates into place. Lubricate the upper bolt, lower bolt, and piston contact area. Slide the caliper back down over the pads. Replace the lower lockbolt and tighten to 16-23 ft-lbs.

Tools: plastic bag, funnel, 12mm + 17mm sockets, oil filter attachment, 6in extension, 3/8in-drive ratchet, 10-80 ft-lb torque wrench Supplies: 4+ qts Mobil 1 0W-20 synthetic oil, one M14 drain plug washer, one Mobil 1 M1-102 extended performance oil filter Remove the plate covering the oil pan. Position the drain pan underneath, then remove the drain plug and let the oil drain out. Remove the oil fill cap so draining goes faster. Stick a new washer on the drain plug. Replace the drain plug and torque it to 23-30 ft-lbs. Remove the old oil filter, then pour oil into the new filter and screw it in. Pour in the new oil.

Tools: 23mm + 24mm sockets, extension, 1/2in-drive ratchet, pump Supplies: 1 qt Mobil 1 75W-90 synthetic limited slip gear oil Remove the fill plug. Position the drain pan, then remove the drain plug and let the oil drain out. Replace the drain plug and torque to 29-39 ft-lbs. Pump the new oil in. When oil just starts dripping out of the fill hole, replace the fill plug and torque to 29-39 ft-lbs.